Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1887-01-06
ICoMMUNICATEp.


FELLowCITIzEHs, FORMER SLAVE
OWNERS OF MARYLAND ALLOW me
10 call your attention to a matter OF
great pecuniary interest to those of
US who held slaves at the commence
ment of the late war, and if we should
be successful, will be the cause of gen.
eral prosperity to our State; for what
will benefit specially so large a num-
Der Of citizens inhabiting different
portions OF the State cannot fail to
diffass benefits to all her inhab-
itants. ! will briefly aud as plainly
as | can state the case
BY the census Of 1860 there were
over 81 900 slaves in our State. We,
the unquestioned owners, were de-
prived of them by the orders and pro-
ceedings OF the general government.
This was, of course, done under the
provision Of the Constitution that gave
1t power TO appropriate for public
use the private property of the citi-
zen" The same Constitutional pro-
vision declares that when so taken
Just compensation shall be allowed.
Cur slaves were private property
were taken as such-and from an hon.
est, just and parental government,
compensation WILL without doubt, as
il should, be given for them. The
Congress OF the United States valued
slaves thus taken at $500 each, and
paid that sum to the owners in the
District of Columbia, and placing the
same value upon the slaves in Mary
land, the amount due to the slave
owners of our State is about $26,-
100000. These transactions all took
place between the election Of Presi-
dent Lincoln and the adoption Of the
Constitution Of Maryland in 1864.
bv which slavery was abolished in
our State. Indeed, in consequence Of
the previous action of the general
government in removing the slaves
irom Mary land, the abolition clause
IN her Constitution was mere surplus
age. Slavery was already gone. The
above sum OF S2o, GOO, COO ia large
debt due us, bnt Its magnitude must
show to those who will take time for
reflection the vast discomfort, suffer
ing and want which we have endured
by so long delay of the compensa-
tion due US. The United States JUS
iy owes, and has often through its
officials, admitted that it owes this
debt. Congress hardly knows what
to do with the immense surplus in the
general treasury. Let the Congress
promptly provide for the payment
and cheer the hearts of many who
from age will soon sink into their
graves, and if their hopes in this re-
spect are blighted will do so with the
painful knowledge that those they
will leave behind Children and grand
children) will suffer from penury and
want. The government cannot be
called honorable, honest or Just which
fails TO respond fayorably and prompt
" TO the obligation which it has in
his matter incurred. Let US, there
fore, take such combined action as
shall bring this business at an early
day before Congress; or, ii at this sea-
son of the year there shall be difficult
" in meeting for consultation, let
prominent citizens and a favorable
press present the question so urgent
" that our Representatives aud Sem
ators may have their attention called
90 it, and thus be reminded of their
duty to many Of their long suffering
constituents.
| do not think that any sensible
person will or can deny the correct
ness of the points have above pre-
sented. A fanatic, whose reason is
clouded, might possibly suggest the
objection that our slaves were not
property. No statesman, in view OF
the laws made and immemorial usa-
Res of the white race from the land
ing Of the Pilgrims to the administra-
ton OF Abraham Lincoln inclusive,
can by possibility come to such con.
clusion. The Pilgrims themselves
thought it no sin to hold slaves, and
did hold them as property. They and
their descendants carried on the Afri-
can Stdrc trade, with the permission
Of their governments, up TO the time
when that trade was declared piracy
by the United States. They brought
them 10 Maryland and sold them TO
our ancestors and received their gold
tor thei. merchau disc, and that mon.
ey may fairly be supposed to be in
part the foundation of the great
wealth which is possessed BY the in
habitants of the New England States.
BY the sale, guarantee of title
was implied, and il in the opinion Of
ths present generation of their de-
scendants and under the provisions
of the Constitution il becomes neces-
sary for public benefit" to take these
slaves from Us. can they Will they
hesitate under such circumstances to
give US their aid in haviag paid to us
tall aud just compensation for this
property? 1t is extremely difficult
for me TO believe il. Not only did
the Constitution and laws of the States